FORKTAIL 17 (2001): 91-103 Some bird records from Nagaland, north-east India ANWARUDDIN CHOUDHURY The state of Nagaland in India, a part of the Eastern Himalaya Endemic Bird Area, is a poorly known bird area. Findings of a recent study have been documented here. Noteworthy records include some globally threatened and near-threatened species such as Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii, Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli and Wedge-billed Wren Babbler Sphenocichla humei. A large number of birds are sold at local markets for food. An annotated checklist of all the birds (487 species) recorded so far is also presented. Some important observations are presented in greater detail. Conservation problems have been discussed briefly and recommendations have been made for protection of habitat and birds. INTRODUCTION state varies from about 1,000 mm in the south-west to more than 6,000 mm in the north. The temperature The state of Nagaland is located in the north-eastern generally ranges from less than 0°C in winter (minimum, part of India (25°10'–27°01'N, 93°17'–95°15'E). It especially on Mt Saramati) to 35°C in summer covers an area of 16,600 km² and is divided into seven (maximum). districts: Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Tropical wet evergreen forest occurs in patches in Wokha and Zunheboto. Physiographically, almost all of the lower and middle elevations all over, except in the Nagaland is hilly and mountainous. The main hill ranges south-west where tropical moist deciduous and semi- are the Barail in the south and south-west and Patkai in evergreens dominate. Many of the river valleys and the north. A high range exists along the border with gorges are covered with evergreen forest. The tropical Myanmar and Mt Saramati (3,842 m) is the highest semi-evergreen forest also occurs in many of the once point in the range and in Nagaland. The hills in the evergreen pockets. The hollong Dipterocarpus central areas are commonly referred to as the ‘Naga macrocarpus, mekai Shorea assamica and nahor Mesua Hills’. The highest peak of the Barail Range is Mt Japfu ferrea are some of the notable tree species of the tropical (Japvo) which stands at 3,043 m. Small plains occur evergreen forest. In the deciduous forest of the south- along the Dhansiri River, especially near Dimapur, and west, bhelu Tetrameles nudiflora, gamari Gmelina arborea to some extent near other rivers where they enter Assam. and banji-ou Dillenia scabrela are some of the noteworthy There are smaller montane valleys in different areas. species. The climate of Nagaland is tropical ‘monsoon’ type In the higher hills, especially on the Barails, in Satoi, with a hot wet summer and a cool dry winter. Winter Mt Japfu and on the slopes of Mt Saramati, subtropical rains are also not uncommon. Annual rainfall for the broadleaf (evergreen) forest occurs with small areas of conifers in the eastern parts. Higher up on Saramati, temperate broadleaf forest is found, while atop (Mt Saramati) the vegetation type is subalpine. During winter, the peak remains under snow. There is no large grassland in Nagaland; however, small patches occur in sheltered valleys and along the rivers with Phragmites spp., Arundo donax, Neyraudia reynaudiana, Themeda villosa and Saccharum spp. In the abandoned jhum (slash- and-burn shifting cultivation of the hill tribes) also various grasses occur till these are colonized by scrubs and then shrubs. It may be mentioned here that the jhum has greatly altered the original vegetation types all over Nagaland. Nagaland has been poorly covered by ornithological surveys. Publications on the area include Alexander (1974), Coltart (1902), Godwin-Austen (1872–1878), Hutchinson (1946), Koelz (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954), McCann (1931, 1933), Ripley (1951, 1952, 1953), and Stonor (1947). Recent publications are also few (Choudhury 1996, 1997a, b). General information on birds occurring in Nagaland is also found in synoptic works such as Ripley (1982), Ali and Ripley (1987) and Grimmett et al. (1998). Nagaland forms part of the Oriental Zoogeographic Region (now often called the Indomalayan Region). It Fig 1. Map of Nagaland showing the places mentioned in is in the transitional zone of the Indian and Indochinese the text (shaded areas = land above 1800 m) (zoogeographic) subregions, as a result of which a rich 92 A. CHOUDHURY Forktail 17 (2001) bird life exists in this relatively small area. Nagaland is it seems to be common in some places. A bird of higher also part of a global biodiversity ‘hotspot’ (Myers 1988, elevation, it usually occurs above 1,800 m. I observed a 1991) as well as an Endemic Bird Area, i.e. Eastern female with 3-4 chicks at the exceptionally low altitude Himalaya (Stattersfield et al. 1998). In all, more than of 1,400 m, at the border of Kohima and Phek districts, 500 species are likely to occur in Nagaland (487are listed on 30 June 1996. The exact location is 53 km from in the Appendix). Kohima town and 5 km from Chetheba (Choudhury 2000). Very rarely sold at the Kohima market. At least two males were on sale in 2000 (K. Sohe, pers. comm.). METHODS Locally, it is known as Ayigah (Sema Naga) and Mu (Angami Naga). Its current distribution in Nagaland Fieldwork was carried out in Nagaland in 1991, 1992, has been mapped recently (Choudhury 1997b). 1996 and 2001 (January-Februaty) with brief visits to RED JUNGLEFOWL Gallus gallus Common throughout the the fringe areas in 1987 and 1988. During the course of state. Often killed by villagers for the pot. Frequently these visits, I covered Kohima (including Dimapur), sold in the Kohima market. Phek and Zunheboto districts, and the fringe areas of Mon and Mokokchung districts. MRS HUME’S PHEASANT Syrmaticus humiae Listed as During the study, the presence of different species Vulnerable (BirdLife 2000). Only reported by Baker of birds was ascertained by direct sighting, their calls (1922-1930) but probably still occurs. During a recent (in some species only), and by interviewing local forest survey in the Barail Range, between Kohima and Peren, staff, villagers and hunters (for some conspicuous species no evidence of its occurrence was found and hunters only). For direct observation, foot transects along questioned were not familiar with it. The only potential existing and newly cut paths, and trails, and vehicle areas for the species are in the east, i.e. in Phek and transects along roads and motorable tracks were made. Tuensang districts. Preserved specimens in different villages and pet birds GREY PEACOCK PHEASANT Polyplectron bicalcaratum Not were also examined. There was regular sale of wild birds uncommon in the forest, especially in the lower hills at Kohima market. Besides visiting the market in June and adjacent plains. A freshly dead male on sale at Jalukie 1996 and January-February 2001, I engaged members weekly market on 2 February 2001 was 70 cm in length, of a local non-governmental organization to photograph considerably larger than the 64 cm given by Ali and interesting or unusual species for records and future Ripley (1987) and Grimmett et al. (1998). It had identification. All photos of birds referred to in the text conspicuous red facial skin - a feature not seen in all were taken in 1997 and 1998 (except where mentioned males. otherwise). Observations were made with binoculars and a 10x46 telescope. Photographs were taken with a Canon LESSER WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna javanica Once T50 camera with a 200 mm lens and a Nikon FM2. common, now rare but widespread in small numbers. Mainly affects small wetlands near Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalukie-Samjuram areas and in the plains RESULTS between Intanki and Dimapur. RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea The only record Selected species notes was of four flying high over Dhansiri RF, Assam and The following list incorporates the more interesting and into Intanki Sanctuary on 3 November 1991. They were significant records. An annotated checklist of all birds heading south/south-east indicating that Loktak lake, recorded so far in Nagaland is presented in the Manipur was their destination. Appendix. The list includes 9 threatened, 5 Near Threatened and 8 restricted-range species. Of the total WHITE-WINGED DUCK Cairina scutulata Listed as of 487 species recorded in the state 133 are reported Endangered (BirdLife 2000). Extremely rare. The only here for the first time. Taxonomy and nomenclature recent report was from Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary, where follow Inskipp et al. (1996). local hunters saw it two or three times in jungle pools in 1990-1991 (Mr Ilo Disong, pers. comm). There were MANIPUR BUSH QUAIL Perdicula manipurensis Listed as past records from Rangapahar Reserved Forest (RF) Vulnerable (BirdLife 2000). Baker (1922-1930) and and adjacent lowland forests near Dimapur (Hume Ripley (1982) included Nagaland within its distribution, 1890, Hutchinson 1946). Other areas where it may still but without details. No recent records. survive are Singphan RF (Mon district) and in the forests near the border with Myanmar (Tuensang and Phek BLYTH’S T RAGOPAN Tragopan blythii Listed as Vulnerable districts). (BirdLife 2000). Although rare in most of its range, it is still not uncommon in some pockets such as Satoi of YELLOW-RUMPED HONEYGUIDE Indicator xanthonotus Zunheboto district, Mt Japfu and Dzukou Valley of Listed as Near Threatened (BirdLife 2000). A rare bird Kohima district, Fakim Sanctuary, Noklak and Saramati of the higher elevations. Ripley (1952) collected one near areas of Tuensang district. It is also found in Pulie-Badge Pfutsero and it has been recently reported from Barail Sanctuary, Mt Paona and almost the entire range of the Range in Kohima district. Barails in Kohima district, Pfutsero area of Phek district GREAT HORNBILL Buceros bicornis Once not uncommon, and in the hilltop areas near the villages of Kilomi, now extremely rare mostly due to persecution for food Dzulhami, and Vishepu (spread over Zunheboto and as well as feathers (primaries and tail), which are in great Phek districts) (Choudhury 1997b).